AACC Letter

December 6, 2016 | Issue #864

POLICY and ADVOCACY

1. REGISTER FOR THE LATEST FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE WEBINARJoin the AACC government relations team on December 13, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. (ET), for the latest webinar. Learn what you need to know about how the election results will affect the policy landscape. Get information on the latest developments on issues such as year-round Pell Grants and federal funding, Higher Education Act and Perkins CTE Act reauthorizations, and more. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Register now. AACC Contact: Jim Hermes

PROGRAM INITIATIVES

2. APPLY FOR NSF’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE INNOVATION CHALLENGEAACC is partnering with the National Science Foundation on its third annual Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC) competition. The CCIC asks community college students, working with a faculty mentor and an industry partner, to craft innovative STEM-based solutions for real-world problems in the categories of Maker-to-Manufacturer; Energy and the Environment; and Security Technologies. Ten community colleges will be selected as finalists and receive travel expenses to attend an Innovation Boot Camp in June. The Boot Camp provides hands-on learning opportunities—and features a reception on Capitol Hill, where the teams display their challenge projects and have the opportunity to engage with members of Congress, key Congressional staffers, and other STEM leaders. The top two teams receive cash prizes. Deadline to apply: February 15, 2017. AACC Contact: Ellen Hause

NEWS and SOCIAL NETWORKING

3. “MANY STUDENTS FACE FOOD, HOUSING INSECURITIES”About a third of community college students in California experience housing insecurity, according to a new report by the Community College Equity Assessment Lab at San Diego State University. Twelve percent of California college students deal with food insecurity. Read about it in Community College Daily.AACC Contact: Matthew Dembicki

4. “IMPROVING FAFSA COMPLETION RATES”Changes to the FAFSA form and increased outreach are some ways the Education Department is working to increase FAFSA completion rates. Learn more at the AACC 21st Century Center. AACC Contact: Tabitha Whissemore

RESOURCES

EVENTS and SERVICES

6. REGISTER FOR THE AACC ANNUAL CONVENTIONRegister now for the 97th Annual AACC Convention. The 2017 convention will take place April 22–25 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The theme is “Community Colleges: America’s North Star.” Early-bird rates end January 27. And be sure to check out the pre-convention sessions. AACC Contact: Angel Royal

OPPORTUNITIES FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

7. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTERAGENCY WEBINAR FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGESDesigned specifically for community colleges, this free one-hour webinar on December 7, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. (ET), will feature senior staff from the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Commerce. Presenters will provide an overview of the international student immigration process, share information related to the recruitment of international students and compliance with federal regulations, and describe resources available to international students and institutions. To register, e-mail the DHS Office of Academic Engagement at AcademicEngagement@hq.dhs.gov.AACC Contact: Tammy Reichelt

8. NACUA LOOKS AT POST-ELECTION LEGAL ISSUESThe National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) is hosting a webinar on December 8, 2016, at 12 noon (ET). The webinar will offer a post-election briefing and will explore the legal uncertainties that have resulted from a new presidential administration and Congress. Register online. AACC Contact: Martha Parham

9. ARE YOU ADVANCING COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS? The ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign provides states with a platform to recognize exemplary efforts in college and career readiness in four categories: students, high schools, postsecondary institutions, and employers. Find out how your college can get recognized. AACC Contact: Angel Royal

10. SEE THE WORLD WITH FULBRIGHTThe Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Program is designed for U.S. higher education professionals. The program offers intensive 2-week seminars including campus visits and briefings with faculty and administrators, government officials, and leading educational experts. Applications are being accepted for for IEA seminars in France and Germany. Learn more online. Deadline to apply: February 1, 2017. AACC Contact: Tabitha Whissemore